Hey guys!
I just picked up my first Volvo, a '92 240 GL. I couldn't be happier with my decision.. Every positive thing I've read about them has been entirely accurate. Mine had been neglected for a couple years and was looking/feeling tired so I had to spend a weekend under the hood to get it ready for smog testing (Californian here..) and the thing is such a joy to work on. Simple, logical, and well made.

Anyway, to my question.

What first attracted me to the 240 was it's handsome 70's styling that didn't change much in it's lifetime. I would kill for an original 242 but one in my college student price range was impossible to find so I ended up with the '92 for $900. Fortunately, a lot of the styling that I like carried through to my model and I'm quite happy with how it looks..

Except for these HIDEOUS wheel covers!

Seriously, does anyone actually like these? It's like Volvo knew they had to make some sort of change so they threw these plastic discs on there.

The older chrome center cap and chrome beauty ring is such a better look plus it actually matches the styling of the car..

So I know I have 14" steel wheels.. My question is:


Did Volvo make any changes to these wheels throughout it's usage on the 240? Are all Volvo caps, covers, rings, etc.. interchangeable between any set of Volvo 14" steel wheels? I really want to buy an older set of caps (with the big V in the center) and beauty rings for my '92.. has anyone else done this?

They changed the 14" steels a little in the early 80's. Those early wheels won't accept the caps/rings to which you refer.

But your '92 wheels will definitely take them.

Such a simple thing but, as you have already noticed, it markedly improves the car's appearance.

These are from an '84 which I put on my '89 wagon.





--
'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon

Perfect. Thanks guys! I have an NOS set on order and will post some before/after pics as soon as they get here. Thanks for all the info!

Hi,

I am looking for some Beauty Rings for my 1990 240. Where did you get yours? Thanks!

Improve the look, the ride and the handling by getting either a set 15 or 16 inch aluminum rims from 740 or 940 and forget the plastic caps. Since you live in California no worries about driving in the snow.

Besides, you'll find that many tire manufacturers are beginning to phase out tires to fit 14" rims. Other than the micro-cars, you're seeing 15" as the smallest diameter being offered on most.

B

Hi SilverBrick37,

You can keep the 14" steelies.

You can remove the ugly plastic wheel cover before they fall off anyway. Unless they are in good condition.

Your 1992 Volvo 240 GL has the 14" x 5.5 steelie wheels? Not the 14" x 6" aluminum Scorpius (PN 3529180) that should comes with 1992 240 GL and 1993 Classic (and GL?).

Welp, yes, most tire companies are limiting tire size offering. You merely need call around. As small cars use small tires. Though I'd suggest Continental or Michelin tires.

So, at junkyards and on ebay and such, you can find the two piece center hub cap you may recall from the late 1970s to mid 1980s Volvo 240s.

You have some other options. I found my 1999 and 2001 Volvo Car quick reference parts guides just now.

You have a center cap that clips on the center hub. (Volvo PN 1206278)



You have the well known, if famous, two part hub cap with the center dish (pn 1272211) that clips onto the hub ....



... and the center press in cap (pn 1272790). I have these on my 1991 and 1990 240s.



So, after that, some may suggest used alloy wheel, yet restoration is sometimes needed for safety if bent or cracked, and a new finish can be pricey. But you can find used alloy RWD Volvo wheel at salvage yards, indie Volvo garages sometimes, and so forth.

Questions?

Hope that helps.

Duffed.